primers

Is there anything better then discovering a wonderful new beauty brand that you've never heard of before?!  It's like putting on a jacket that you haven't worn for awhile and finding a twenty dollar bill in the pocket!  My newest discovery, thanks to the Shopping Channel is Dalton Cosmetics.  Founded by Dr. Doris Dalton who when she couldn't find a natural looking and long lasting product for her eyebrows that she lost while battling thyroid cancer,  did the logical thing and developed her own.  Not only does she correct issues with product performance in her line, but also packaging design flaws as she did with her Fresh Coat Mascara, the first airless mascara - with a dual-chamber design that keeps air out of the tube so it doesn't dry out.

The line is based on genuine necessity, reflecting issues her and other makeup addicts come across daily - and bless her for that!  Here are a few of the products in her line:

Fresh Coat Tinted Primer with SPF 20 - $32 - an oil-free formula that eliminates skin imperfections, colour corrects and nourishes your skin.  Can be worn under makeup or by itself.  Has a silicone polymer blend that smoothes away lines and wrinkles and makes pores disappear.  Contains colour correcting pigments to help even skin tone and reduce the look of skin discolouration and redness.  Enriched with a powerful anti-oxidant composition including Japanese green tea, grape seed extract, vitamin C & E to combat the signs of aging while promoting cell health and elasticity.

Don't be scared by how dark the product looks, even on a pale face like me, it disappears and does really does a nice job of evening out your complexion.  This would be great on its own if you have nice skin but if you have major flaws to cover, you will want to use this as a primer with your foundation on top.

Mirage Blending Powder - $42 - a lightweight, finely micronized powder that will not cake or lay in lines or wrinkles - the powder softly blurs or blends away any makeup mistakes, redness or minor imperfections as well as sets and perfects your makeup application.  It helps to even out and smooth the appearance of your skin's texture and minimize the look of pores leaving you looking flawless.

I have much love for my Make Up For Ever HD Powder and it's the powder that I always compare others to.  This Dalton one has the same soft silky finish but it's a natural colour unlike the white colour of MUFE which makes it much easier to apply.  You know how you have to blend the hell out of the MUFE one or it leaves a whitish cast on your skin?  Dalton doesn't have that issue and it gives you the same airbrushed look.  MUFE had better watch out, I just may have a new fave!  What is also nice is that it comes with a specially designed Face Form Brush which has been laser cut to hug the natural curves of your face.
Deep Line and Crease Diffuser - $31 - to hide and conceal unwanted expression lines as well as blemishes, age spots, freckles, redness, discolouration and uneven skin tone.  Contains Dermaflex, a unique combination of ingredients that are designed to flex and move with your skin while providing high diffused reflection that dramatically reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.  As well as a superior refractive index that improves the appearance of clarity in the skin.  Combined with Hyluronic spheres that help to retain your skins moisture and special amino acid treated pigments that help to improve the longevity of colour and coverage.

It's not mentioned as a place to use it, but I have been using this under my eyes to get rid of the tired look I have had lately and the reflecting properties do a great job of combating that little problem too!

You can check out the Dalton Cosmetics line at www.theshoppingchannel.com.

shu uemura Stage Performer - Instant-Glow and Signs Off - inspired by the beauty expertise of top make-up artists - they have integrated the make-up artist's secrets with cutting-edge technology to care for tired, dull skin in a new and dramatic way.

The products are designed to achieve dual benefits, with inner and outer action.  With just one stroke you'll see visible results and achieve high skincare benefits.  Skin appears dramatically more luminous, translucent and smoother and make-up finish is enhanced.

Instant-Glow - 50ml - $60 - renews fatigued, dull and imperfect skin and resets it to an ideal state.  Kin immediately appears more luminous, smooth, supple and remains hydrated for 24 hours.  In 4 weeks, skin feels healthier, revitalized and renewed, with refined skin texture.  Suitable for sensitive skin.  It's used in the morning after cleansing in place of  your serum and/or moisturizer and followed by sunscreen and your usual primer and foundation.

Instant-Glow contains for inner action: Citrus Complex, made from the extracts of Sweet Orange and Bitter Orange which is designed to boost micro-circulation to revitalize the skin for a rosy complexion; Meadowfoam Seed Oil to help smooth skin texture; Ginkgo Extract to help to limit oxidation acting as a skin defender; Depsea water to help improve skin's self-moisturizing ability and enhances skin's translucent look; and HEPES to help to enhance exfoliation to re-texturize the skin's surface with conditioned micro-relief.

Instant-Glow contains for outer action: patented Chroma Adjuster - with corrective encapsulates release pigments upon application in order to unify skin tone and provide radiance, Micro-pearl, and Diakalyte which funtion to diffuse light optically for silky smoothness and to adjust skin tone while respecting its original skin tone.

Signs Off - 4ml - $56 - instant replenishing line-smoother to achieve an ultra even and refined skin surface especially for the fine lines around eyes and lips caused by dryness.  Fades unnecessary shadows by dramatically smoothing lines in a stroke, while helping to re-plump the skin.  To be applied at the end of your skincare routine in the morning and night and for makeup retouches:  just twist the top slowly until the formula comes out, apply with the soft tip applicator on imperfections such as lines and spread the formula with your fingertips to even it out.

Signs Off contains for inner action: Calcium Micro-Spheres, known as a dermal filler, is rich in calcium, a key ingredient for barrier formation; Soy Extract which helps boost the synthesis of collagen and elastin for firming effect; Depsea water to ehlp improve skin's self-moisturizing ability and enhance skin translucency.

Signs Off contains for outer action: Silica which creates a soft focus effect on lines and imperfections by diffusing light.

Available at Holt Renfrew.

Of course I don't expect you to take their word for it, win them and try them out yourself! 

Want in?  It's super easy!  This contest is open to everyone, everywhere. All you have to do is join Beauty Crazed as a follower if you aren't one already.  You can either do it through Google or through Networked Blogs on Facebook - you can find both signups on the right hand side of the Beauty Crazed site.  Once you belong to our crazy family just leave a reply to this post letting us know you want in and share one of your secrets - could be a beauty secret, embarrassing personal secret - whatever you like!   If you give the contest link a tweet and/or post it on your blog, there's an extra entry in it for you! Including an e-mail address would be extra helpful and you can write it like this - info(at)beautycrazed(dot)ca - so the bots can't find you but we can.  If you prefer not to leave your info on a public post, please leave a post saying you want to enter and then e-mail us your info - info@beautycrazed.ca, please put "shu uemura Contest" in the subject line.  Winner to be decided by random drawing and you have until October 8th to enter. 

I love to prime - I prime the hell out of everything I can think of so I am interested in seeing this new line in person!
Prep + Prime Highlighter - $27.50 - lush and cushiony, yet lightweight - in wonderful huses that provide a sheer wash of colour to highlight, brighten and perfect.  With a click pen that allows for exact application.
Light Boost - soft yellow cream
Bright Forecast - mid-tone peachy coral
Radiant Rose - light shell pink

Prep + Prime Vibrancy Eye - $36.50 - a lightweight quick fix and long-term solution for puffy, tired-looking creases and bags that targets the three main causes for dark under eye circles - pigmentation, visibly weakened capillaries and shadowing - while illuminating the eye area with optical effects for instant luminosity.


Available April 7th at your MAC counter and www.maccosmetics.com

Biotherm Celluli Laser S.Code - 200ml - $55 - we all know that the stomach is the hardest place to lose weight, particularly difficult because fat cells on the stomach store fat much more quickly than other parts of the body and are less responsive to exercise. Celluli Laser S. Code is a smoothing and firming treatment designed to specifically target cellulite-prone areas and the loss of firmness of the skin on the stomach-waist area. Adiposvelty to the rescue! - a patented compound containing caffeine, pomegranate see oil and lotus extract, activates one of the identified processes of physical effort in stubborn abdominal fat cells, therefore mimicking the act of moderate physical exercise.  Studies showed up to 9cm loss on the side and front and a 22% increase in firmness.
You all know how obsessed I am with slimming creams so keep an eye out for my review of this.
Pür Minerals Work It Off Exfoliating Serum - 30ml - $32 - has an exfoliating action (vitamin A and salicylic acid) which gently lifts away surface impurities and naturally moisturizes the skin thanks to its natural hydrating and antioxidants (vitamins C & E) enriched multivitamin formula.
Halle Berry Reveal - 30ml - $35 - top notes of juicy peach, honey dew melon, Mimosa flower and red berries; heart notes of Plumeria flower, Iris Blossom and Neroli petals; and base notes of Vetyver, cashmere woods and skin musk - you might not be able to look at good as Halle, but at least you can smell as good!
TRESemme Climate Control line - helps create a barrier between your hair and the weather, maintaining shiny, soft and halthy-looking hair without worrying about frizz. - Shampoo or Conditioner - 400ml - $6.49 - formulated with olive oil and keratin which improves shine and softness, conditions and strengthens hair; Extra Hold Mousse - 350ml - $5.99 - polymers help hold styles in high humidity and keeps hair glossy and smooth; Extra Hold Finishing Spray - 350ml - $5.99 - with keratin, olive oil and UV blockers to keep hair vibrant and shiny without leaving hair sticky or stiff.
Annabelle 4SHOW Eyeshadows - $9.95 - in four collections: Vivid-Eye, Black-Eye, Tiger-Eye, Pop-Eye - highly pigmented colours that can be used wet or dry.
Volumelip Lip Plumping Gloss - $8.50 - in four new shades: Coralicious, So Sanguine, Plum(p)tastic, Au Currant - plumping without the painful tingle while it stimulates collagen production and provides maximum hydration as well, it reduces lip furrows and improves overall lip texture.  Over a few weeks of daily use, it softens lips and provides a plumping effect for more luscious and fuller lips.  In addition, vitamin E gives the gloss softening and antioxidant properties.

It's nice to see that most of the Quo spring collection won't be disappearing - I hate falling in love with something and then not being able to get it anymore!
Spring Goddess Palette - $25 - Limited Edition - each palette contains four eye shadows, one blush and one lip gloss and is available in four shade selections:
Athena - violet, teal, gold and smoky grey
Aphrodite - warm brown and bronze tones
Maia - cool blues and purples
Thea - grey tones with pink highlights
Prism Lips - $15 - new to the regular line - with high intensity pigments and a creamy texture for all-day colour. Paraben free and come in six shades: Princess, Marquise, Radiant, Trillion, Brilliant and Briolette.
Age Excellence Foundation - $27 - new to the regular line - for flawless coverage that stays in place all day long.  Paraben and fragrance free and is suitable for most skin types.  Available in six shades.
Prismatic Radiance Primer - $27 - new to the regular line - infused with a pearlescent swirl, it leaves a subtle glow while protecting skin with vitamin E and glycerin. Wear alone or under makeup. 
360° Mascara - $15 - new to the regular line - features a unique brush that allows mascara to be applied horizontally and vertically to easily reach every last lash.  Contains an active ingredient - SymPeptide which extends the lash life-cycle helping lashes grow fuller and longer with regular use. That's a really funky looking brush so I will be interested to give this one a try!

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart as you read this!

Glamourous Eye Shadow - $14 - available in Black, Navy Blue, Petrol and Violet

Velvet Touch Eye Liner - $14 - available in Denim Blue, Denim Grey and Classic Grey

Extreme Length Coloured Mascara - $15 - available in Grey, Blue and Purple

Effect Powder - $14 - Psychedelic - add some drama to your look with this shimmering powder that can be used anywhere!

Velvet Touch Eye Primer - $20 - don't let all that hard work crease and smudge - apply this before your shadow to make it last all night!

Intense Lip Colour - $15 - available in Red and Pink Beige- love the mirror on the case, so smart!

Glamour Body Glitter - $22 - if this is the same as the one that came out last year then I highly recommend  - the glitter is very fine and it gives you the perfect amount of shimmer.  The gel base is light and not sticky or greasy.

Nail Lacquer - $7 - Miss Grey and Midnight Blue

Nail Art - $4 - add instant glam with these rhinestone nail stickers!

If you are still in a charitable mood from this morning's post, you will be happy to know that with each purchase from the WISH collection, Smashbox will donate $1 to the Children's Miracle Network, a non-profit organization that provides medical care, life-saving research and on-going education to sick and injured children. - being beautiful never felt so good!

WISH List - $56 - Travel Size Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner in Midnight Black, Photo Op Under Eye Brightener, New - O-Gloss Gold and Fusion Soft Lights in Baked Stardust




WISH The Gold List - $56 - Sephora Exclusive - Fusion Soft Lights Baked Starburst, Travel Size Luminizing Photo Finish Foundation Primer, New - O-Gloss Gold, Full Size Photo Op Under Eye Brightener and Gold Bag

WISH For The Perfect Pout - $33 - 2 full size and 4 medium size glosses - Pout - baby doll pink, Luster - sheer golden pink, Tease - juicy raspberry, Candy - cotton candy pink, Aura - shimmery pink nude, Radiant - shimmery pink plum

WISH For The Perfect Primers - $45 - 30ml Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Full Size Photo Finish Lid Primer and Travel Size Photo Finish Targeted Pore & Line Filler

WISH For The Perfect Palette - $68 - Set includes 63 Eye Shadows, 8 Cream Eyeliners, 6 Brow Tech Powders, Brown Wax, 8 Lip Glosses, 2 Blush, 1 Bronzer and 1 Highlighter - also included is a Get-the-Look insert with easy application tips for a flawless face.

Black Palette - $43 - with six black based shadows to release your inner rock star: Black Dog - deep matte black, Barracuda - black with silver shift, Libertine - black with deep shimmering green shift, Cobra - black with shimmering gold shift, Sabbath - black with deep shimmering blue shift, Jet - black with deep shimmering purple shift.  Also includes deluxe mini of Eden Eyeshadow Primer Potion and a 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero.

Book of Shadows Volume III - $65 - inspired by the diversity of New York, this pop-up, light-up extravaganza is a melting-pot of colour!  Along with 16 shadows comes deluxe minis of Zero and Ransom 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils as well as a travel size Eyeshadow Primer Potion.  Shadows include bestsellers: Last Call - plum punch, Maui Wowi - medium gold with silver glitter, Midnight Cowboy Rides Again - golden beige with bronze, gold & silver glitter, Smog - deep coopery bronze, Perversion - matte jet black, Uzi - metallic silver with big iridescent sparkles; cult favourites: Height - shimmering mermaid blue, Psychedelic Sister - purple amethyst, Snatch - peachy-pink with glitter; and new shades: Bordello - purpley-pink with god shift, Kush - bright green, Loaded - deep emerald/black, Money - silvery pale green, Radium - bright blue, Rockstar - deep eggplant with metallic base, Suspect - oyster with dimensional shift
24/7 Jackpot - $47 - 9 shades of their waterproof eyeliner in a deluxe mini format: Eldorado, Stash, Mildew, Electric Binge, Ransom, Rockstar, Gunmetal and Whiskey as well as a full sized Zero.
Little Sins Eyeshadow Primer Potion Set - $35 - purse sized editions of: Eyeshadow Primer Potion - the original, Sin Eyeshadow Primer Potion - champagne shimmer shade, Eden Eyeshadow Primer Potion - matte nude shade, Greed Eyeshadow Primer Potion - shimmering gold shade exclusive to this set only.
Urbanglow - $29 - this creamy, but not greasy highlighter comes in four shades: Moonshine - pearlescent shimmer with iridescent pink shift, Sin - gold shimmer, Wicked - pink shimmer, Brown Sugar - bronze sugar
Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Professional Size - $35 - finally somebody over at UD listened to all the whining and gave us an alternative to that wasteful wand model!  This super sized model comes in a squeeze tube with a needle nose tip which makes it easy to use it up to the last drop!

Available at Sephora, Sephora.com and the awesome Whitby Shoppers Drug Mart!